Licensed Practical Nurse
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Seattle, WA, United States
Summary
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
Licensure: Must possess a full - active - current - and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or District of Columbia
EDUCATION (TRANSCRIPTS WITH CONFER DATE REQUIRED): Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant
Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission - 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor - New York - NY 10006
Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website
Exceptions include: Health care education in the military service or training in the military service which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualifying for full LPN/LVN licensure will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment
VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 - enacted November 21 - 1983 - and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576 - enacted October 28 - 1986
and for their future personnel actions under this authority
The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions
Individuals are granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
See paragraph 4 - section C
Grade Determinations
In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
GS-03 Level: None beyond the basic requirements
LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g. medication administration)
however - completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved
GS-4 Level: At least six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
At this level LPN/LVNs are expected to exercise greater judgment - require less supervision - and to operate in accordance with all established policies - procedures - and techniques
OR Graduate of an approved school AND one year of experience that involved nursing care work in a hospital - outpatient clinic - nursing home - or other supervised medical - nursing - or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures
OR Graduate from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
GS-5 Level: At least one year of qualifying experience equivalent to the GS-4 level under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO that has provided you with the following: Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures
however - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review
Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery
Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes - medication - and /or prescribed treatment regimes
Demonstrated knowledge and ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care and incorporating acceptable - established customer service standards into practice
Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous medications
This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition
Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated - promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest
Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action
GS-6 Level: At least one year of qualifying experience equivalent to the GS-5 level that has provided you with the following but not limited to: Technically proficient in initiating - performing - and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions - using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments - and accurately recognizing - reporting - and recording relevant patient information
Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures
Ability to observe - identify - and respond to a patient's needs for care including medication - equipment-assisted care - and patient/family education
In organizing and delivering care - the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional - socio-economic - and age-related factors
Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
Observes for - documents - and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments
Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations - seeking assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO - and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed
Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations and the ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients - family members and other staff
Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures - which includes preparing the patient and assisting in the diagnostic examination - preparing - and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment - and monitoring the patient's condition before - during - and following the procedure
Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex - specialized tests/procedures
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Duties
Deliver care to patients in a respectful non-judgmental manner and according to Patient Care Plan
Demonstrate understanding of age - and population - specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the veteran
Perform aspects of admission /discharge procedures as directed
Collect patient data including observations of patient status. Accurately report patient/client information
Recognize subtle and significant changes in the patient in response to nursing care
Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations - seeks assistance - and effectively intervenes when appropriate
Communicate changes in patient condition/response to nursing care
Organize and prioritize routine and non-routine nursing care activities
Provide care to patients/clients appropriate to their cognitive - physical - emotional - and chronological maturation
Accurately document and retrieve patient/client clinical information using electronic medical record
Provide effective education to patients and family members in relation to common disease processes - medications - and prescribed diagnostic and treatment regimes
Adhere to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation - administration - and documentation of medicine - in accordance with the Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) standards
Observe patient for adverse effects from medication and reports to the team Registered Nurse (RN)
Perform other duties as assigned
VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM PDT
Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: This is a telework position
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
Transferring patients and objects may be required
Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
If applicable - the incumbent may be required to complete screening or testing through Employee Health
Work Conditions: A Licensed practical Nurse (LPN) works in a primary care Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) setting primarily works in an outpatient - office clinic environment - caring for a range of veterans by performing direct patient care - medication administration - and clinical support for providers
The environment is typically well-lit and ventilated but can be stressful - requiring multitasking and the ability to handle several tasks at once
LPNs play a vital role on the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT).
#J-18808-Ljbffr
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
Licensure: Must possess a full - active - current - and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or District of Columbia
EDUCATION (TRANSCRIPTS WITH CONFER DATE REQUIRED): Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant
Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission - 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor - New York - NY 10006
Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website
Exceptions include: Health care education in the military service or training in the military service which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualifying for full LPN/LVN licensure will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment
VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 - enacted November 21 - 1983 - and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576 - enacted October 28 - 1986
and for their future personnel actions under this authority
The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions
Individuals are granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
See paragraph 4 - section C
Grade Determinations
In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
GS-03 Level: None beyond the basic requirements
LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g. medication administration)
however - completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved
GS-4 Level: At least six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
At this level LPN/LVNs are expected to exercise greater judgment - require less supervision - and to operate in accordance with all established policies - procedures - and techniques
OR Graduate of an approved school AND one year of experience that involved nursing care work in a hospital - outpatient clinic - nursing home - or other supervised medical - nursing - or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures
OR Graduate from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
GS-5 Level: At least one year of qualifying experience equivalent to the GS-4 level under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO that has provided you with the following: Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures
however - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review
Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery
Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes - medication - and /or prescribed treatment regimes
Demonstrated knowledge and ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care and incorporating acceptable - established customer service standards into practice
Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous medications
This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition
Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated - promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest
Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action
GS-6 Level: At least one year of qualifying experience equivalent to the GS-5 level that has provided you with the following but not limited to: Technically proficient in initiating - performing - and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions - using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments - and accurately recognizing - reporting - and recording relevant patient information
Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures
Ability to observe - identify - and respond to a patient's needs for care including medication - equipment-assisted care - and patient/family education
In organizing and delivering care - the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional - socio-economic - and age-related factors
Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
Observes for - documents - and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments
Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations - seeking assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO - and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed
Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations and the ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients - family members and other staff
Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures - which includes preparing the patient and assisting in the diagnostic examination - preparing - and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment - and monitoring the patient's condition before - during - and following the procedure
Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex - specialized tests/procedures
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Duties
Deliver care to patients in a respectful non-judgmental manner and according to Patient Care Plan
Demonstrate understanding of age - and population - specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the veteran
Perform aspects of admission /discharge procedures as directed
Collect patient data including observations of patient status. Accurately report patient/client information
Recognize subtle and significant changes in the patient in response to nursing care
Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations - seeks assistance - and effectively intervenes when appropriate
Communicate changes in patient condition/response to nursing care
Organize and prioritize routine and non-routine nursing care activities
Provide care to patients/clients appropriate to their cognitive - physical - emotional - and chronological maturation
Accurately document and retrieve patient/client clinical information using electronic medical record
Provide effective education to patients and family members in relation to common disease processes - medications - and prescribed diagnostic and treatment regimes
Adhere to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation - administration - and documentation of medicine - in accordance with the Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) standards
Observe patient for adverse effects from medication and reports to the team Registered Nurse (RN)
Perform other duties as assigned
VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM PDT
Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: This is a telework position
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
Transferring patients and objects may be required
Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
If applicable - the incumbent may be required to complete screening or testing through Employee Health
Work Conditions: A Licensed practical Nurse (LPN) works in a primary care Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) setting primarily works in an outpatient - office clinic environment - caring for a range of veterans by performing direct patient care - medication administration - and clinical support for providers
The environment is typically well-lit and ventilated but can be stressful - requiring multitasking and the ability to handle several tasks at once
LPNs play a vital role on the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT).
#J-18808-Ljbffr